Coach Franklin will be at the Rock 'n Soul Museum on Beale Street Thursday evening.

Feb. 14, 2011

Vanderbilt Football Head Coach James Franklin will make his first appearance outside of the Nashville area in Memphis Thursday evening, meeting with Commodore fans and Vanderbilt alumni at a popular Beale Street attraction.

Franklin, named to the Vanderbilt post in mid-December and fresh off signing a highly regarded class of recruits on National Signing Day, will appear at the Rock ‘n Soul Museum, located at 191 Beale Street. He will be joined by Vanderbilt Vice Chancellor for University Affairs and Athletics David Williams II at the function, sponsored by the Memphis Vanderbilt Chapter.

“I’m excited about this event, excited about visiting with Vanderbilt fans in and around Memphis, and excited about visiting Beale Street,” Franklin said. “I can’t wait to talk about our plan and our vision for the future of Vanderbilt Football.”

The event starts at 6 p.m., with dinner and a self-guided tour of the Rock ‘n Soul Museum available to guests. The program with Williams and Coach Franklin is expected to begin at 7 p.m.

Staged at the famed Beale Street venue, the event will feature a touch of music – Motown style, courtesy of Vice Chancellor Williams. In addition to Franklin’s remarks, Williams will present a program on the Motown sound stemming from his upbringing in Detroit. Memphis-based guitarist, singer and songwriter Preston Shannon will appear live.

Since accepting the Vanderbilt position, the former University of Maryland assistant head coach and offensive coordinator has stayed busy developing a talented coaching staff and signing a 21-member signing class that virtually every recruiting service has identified as Vanderbilt’s finest in more than a decade.

The event is $30 per person, and includes dinner, non-alcoholic beverages, museum admission, and a personal audio guide to the museum.

To attend the event, please contact Sarah Quinn by telephone at (615) 343-8385 or email at sarah.quinn@vanderbilt.edu.